A family legacy of lifelong learning

When Martin Keyes and his son, Rowan Keyes, walked across the University Hall stage to graduate, it was on the same day, in the same ceremony.

This rare and special moment for a father and son represents not just their own achievements, but a family connection to the University of Wollongong that stretches back three generations.

In the audience cheering them on is Martin’s father, Peter Keyes, who first attended UOW in the late 1970’s and set in motion a legacy that continues to shape his family today.

“I treasure the years I was there,” Peter says. “I had lovely friends, and the lecturers were very personable people and very easy to talk to. It was interesting, it was supportive, and I had a good time at university.”

He studied in the evenings as a mature-age student while raising a young family to achieve his Master of Studies in Education in 1979 and a Bachelor of Arts in 1983, saying he is grateful that his wife didn’t ever “put her foot down” and request he stop going back to university.

“I wasn’t straight out of school, and I had a bit of life experience which I think helped. I had a different outlook — I was there because I wanted to be there. I wanted more education.”

That desire for lifelong learning was something Peter is very proud to say he and his wife passed on through the generations to their children and grandchildren.  

Now, his son Martin has graduated with a Master of Business Administration (MBA) with distinction, while his grandson Rowan graduated with a Bachelor of Business, majoring in Management, also with distinction.

Rowan Keyes and his father, Martin Keyes, together on their graduation day

Connection to the UOW community

Martin’s decision to study at UOW was influenced by it being his chance to see the University — which is where he works — from a different perspective.

“I wanted to put myself through the student experience,” he explains. “Part of my job is building a student experience that is nurturing, fulfilling and enjoyable and I thought it would be valuable to actually be the student. I learnt a whole bunch of stuff from that throughout my degree, and of course, a little about management as well,” he laughs.

Rowan says that when it came to choose where he would study, he was only ever seriously considering one option — the place his grandfather, father and brother also attended.  

“My family’s been connected to UOW for a really long time,” he says. “Growing up in Wollongong, it’s hard to look past UOW as a sort of beacon of Wollongong’s purpose and a big part of the city’s identity.”

Another key drawcard for Rowan was being accepted into the long-running Management Cadetship program, which allows students to study and work full-time across different areas of the University from HR and Student Services to Strategy and Governance.

“It’s a really great complement to what you’re learning in the classroom and being able to apply it practically.”

Despite studying at very different stages of their life, both father and son found themselves navigating university at the same time, often leaning on each other along the way. Mirroring his father’s higher education journey, Martin studied for his master’s degree in mostly in the evenings after work.

“It had been a long time since I was at university,” Martin says. “So, I had to get that muscle working again to get back into academic writing, researching and critical thinking. I definitely leant on Rowan more than he leant on me. I knew he didn’t really need my help because I was always impressed with the quality of his work, I was very proud.”

Martin Keyes with his father, Peter KeyesFor Rowan, who transitioned to university straight from school, studying was still one of his well-honed skills, but he says the shared experience did create an unexpected way for him to connect with his dad.

“The subjects were different levels, but the ideas were quite similar, so it was nice to think and talk about those things together. And,” he adds, “I think having worked in Student Services throughout the cadetship, I could help out Dad a bit there too.”

A moment of realisation

Graduating together wasn’t always the plan. It wasn’t until halfway through his degree that Martin even realised the timing might line up. Then, the choice felt obvious.

“Once we added the ‘three generations’ element, it just made sense,” Martin says. “We could all be in the same room, at the same time, getting our degrees. Why would you give up that opportunity?”

Rowan — the last in his family to graduate — also feels like this is a very big and significant moment.

“It’s a very awesome moment to celebrate together at the same time,” he reflects. “I think it's very ‘UOW’ to have a reminder that all parts of the family, at all stages of life, can keep studying and keep celebrating those milestones together.”

Martin believes his family’s deep connection to UOW is particularly special given that the institution is only just over 50 years old.

“It’s fairly unique to have three generations complete their studies in that time,” he says. “I grew up here, I raised my children here. We’re very connected to the UOW community, it’s such a significant place to our family.”

The end of an era

Rowan says graduating fills him with a sense of gratitude.

“I feel grateful for the role models and the upbringing I had,” he says. “To have the opportunity to go to university, and to be supported through it isn’t easy, especially studying and working full-time.

Rowan Keyes and his grandfather, Peter Keyes 

For Martin, who says he started his degree in part just “see if he could do it”, graduating brings a sense of relief and personal achievement that he is really proud of.

“I set myself a goal of getting this qualification and I went at it hard, I didn’t even miss a class,” he says. “Lifelong learning can sound like a throwaway line, but the fact there is a generational gap between us doesn't detract from the fact that I learnt a bunch of stuff from my degree, and Rowan learnt a bunch of stuff from his degree, and each of those things are significant and relevant.”

Peter feels honoured to come back onto to the UOW campus to celebrate his family’s achievements.  

“It’s my Alma Mater,” he says. “I’ve always been very happy to be associated with it.”

As the family celebrate together, Martin reflects on what it means to witness a family legacy that started with his father nearly 40 years ago ending — for now — with his son.

“There’s Dad’s life, and my life, and Rowan’s life,” Martin says. “Different ages, different stages.”

“But there’ll be this magic time on Friday where we all come together, in the same place at the same time and can acknowledge the significance of bringing our different timelines and different paths together.”